Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Singapore
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 16% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 (SGD $18) | SGD $15 | + 22% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (SGD $13) | SGD $10 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (SGD $7) | SGD $8 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (SGD $2.35) | SGD $4.00 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (SGD $4.30) | SGD $5.77 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.43 (SGD $1.99) | SGD $3.96 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 (SGD $10) | SGD $13 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (SGD $3.20) | SGD $5.60 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.34 (SGD $1.59) | SGD $3.31 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (SGD $3.64) | SGD $4.91 | - 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (SGD $21) | SGD $32 | - 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (SGD $3.02) | SGD $2.84 | + 6% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.14 (SGD $1.88) | SGD $2.60 | - 28% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 33% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 10,115 (SGD $3,704) | SGD $6,632 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,956 (SGD $2,547) | SGD $4,551 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 790 (SGD $289) | SGD $216 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,790 (SGD $2,486) | SGD $4,071 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,832 (SGD $1,769) | SGD $3,007 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 617 (SGD $226) | SGD $119 | + 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 230 (SGD $84) | SGD $49 | + 72% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 929 (SGD $340) | SGD $710 | - 52% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 321 (SGD $118) | SGD $177 | - 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (SGD $14) | SGD $13 | + 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (SGD $12) | SGD $23 | - 48% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 166 (SGD $61) | SGD $109 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 234 (SGD $86) | SGD $63 | + 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 417 (SGD $153) | SGD $159 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 475 (SGD $174) | SGD $181 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 48% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,640 (SGD $32,461) | SGD $156,163 | - 79% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.94 (SGD $1.08) | SGD $2.86 | - 62% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 207 (SGD $76) | SGD $84 | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 27% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 27% more expensive than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (SGD $8) | SGD $14 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 125 (SGD $46) | SGD $12 | + 282% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 547 (SGD $200) | SGD $111 | + 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (SGD $10) | SGD $13 | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (SGD $7) | SGD $6 | + 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (SGD $8) | SGD $14 | - 45% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (SGD $4.10) | SGD $2.42 | + 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (SGD $5.39) | SGD $9 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 47 (SGD $17) | SGD $36 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 12% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 194 (SGD $71) | SGD $56 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (SGD $29) | SGD $25 | + 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 914 (SGD $335) | SGD $477 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 352 (SGD $129) | SGD $130 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (SGD $28) | SGD $22 | + 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 27 (SGD $10) | SGD $8 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (SGD $15) | SGD $10 | + 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,688 (SGD $618) | SGD $922 | - 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.70 (SGD $0.26) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 247 (SGD $90) | SGD $211 | - 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (SGD $6) | SGD $16 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 11, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.36621
SGD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,198 prices entered by 296 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 31% cheaper than in Singapore
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